(^4) And before this, Eliashib the priest, having the oversight of the chamber of the house of our
God, was allied unto Tobiah:^5 And he had prepared for him a great chamber, where aforetime they
laid the meat offerings, the frankincense, and the vessels, and the tithes of the corn, the new wine,
and the oil, which was commanded to be given to the Levites, and the singers, and the porters; and
the offerings of the priests.^6 But in all this time was not I at Jerusalem: for in the two and thirtieth
year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon came I unto the king, and after certain days obtained I leave
of the king:^7 And I came to Jerusalem, and understood of the evil that Eliashib did for Tobiah, in
preparing him a chamber in the courts of the house of God.^8 And it grieved me sore: therefore I
cast forth all the household stuff of Tobiah out of the chamber.^9 Then I commanded, and they
cleansed the chambers: and thither brought I again the vessels of the house of God, with the meat
offering and the frankincense.
(^10) And I perceived that the portions of the Levites had not been given them: for the Levites and
the singers, that did the work, were fled every one to his field.^11 Then contended I with the rulers,
and said, Why is the house of God forsaken? And I gathered them together, and set them in their
place.^12 Then brought all Judah the tithe of the corn and the new wine and the oil unto the treasuries.
(^13) And I made treasurers over the treasuries, Shelemiah the priest, and Zadok the scribe, and of the
Levites, Pedaiah: and next to them was Hanan the son of Zaccur, the son of Mattaniah: for they
were counted faithful, and their office was to distribute unto their brethren.^14 Remember me, O
my God, concerning this, and wipe not out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my
God, and for the offices thereof.
(^15) In those days saw I in Judah some treading winepresses on the sabbath, and bringing in sheaves,
and lading asses; as also wine, grapes, and figs, and all manner of burdens, which they brought into
Jerusalem on the sabbath day: and I testified against them in the day wherein they sold victuals.
(^16) There dwelt men of Tyre also therein, which brought fish, and all manner of ware, and sold on
the sabbath unto the children of Judah, and in Jerusalem.^17 Then I contended with the nobles of
Judah, and said unto them, What evil thing is this that ye do, and profane the sabbath day?^18 Did
not your fathers thus, and did not our God bring all this evil upon us, and upon this city? yet ye
bring more wrath upon Israel by profaning the sabbath.^19 And it came to pass, that when the gates
of Jerusalem began to be dark before the sabbath, I commanded that the gates should be shut, and
charged that they should not be opened till after the sabbath: and some of my servants set I at the
gates, that there should no burden be brought in on the sabbath day.^20 So the merchants and sellers
of all kind of ware lodged without Jerusalem once or twice.^21 Then I testified against them, and
said unto them, Why lodge ye about the wall? if ye do so again, I will lay hands on you. From that
time forth came they no more on the sabbath.^22 And I commanded the Levites that they should
cleanse themselves, and that they should come and keep the gates, to sanctify the sabbath day.
Remember me, O my God, concerning this also, and spare me according to the greatness of thy
mercy.
marcin
(Marcin)
#1